Dahlak Archipelago
Eritrea · Northern Red Sea · 5 m
Description
The Dahlak Archipelago is a scatter of some three hundred and fifty low coral islands off Massawa, of which only a handful are inhabited. Boats are chartered in the port and take between two and five hours depending on how far out you go. There are no hotels, no shops and no power on most of the islands, so a trip means sleeping on a beach or on deck. The reefs are shallow, warm and full of fish, though the water is more turbid than in Sudan or Egypt. Dahlak Kebir has ancient cisterns and a very large medieval tombstone field.
Length of stay
Recommended length of stay: 1 to 4 days (optimal 2 days)
Travel season
Best time to visit: December – February
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Highlights
- Snorkelling the Dahlak fringing reefs
- Diving reefs that almost nobody dives
- Beach camping on an uninhabited island
- Dissei island and its fishing communities
- Dahlak Kebir village and the Dahlik language
- Ancient cisterns and the medieval tombstone field
- Dugong, dolphin and turtle watching
- Nora island reefs
- Pearl banks and the diving heritage
- Seabird colonies and flamingos
- Fishing with a sambuk crew
- Mangrove stands and salt flats
Getting there
- Nearest airports:
- ASM
- Seaport:
- Reachable by ship or ferry